Photos by Pesi Fonua.

It appeared as though Tonga had finally won a gold medal from the Beijing Olympic Games and it had arrived in Nuku'alofa, when Valerie Vili, New Zealand's Olympic Shot Put Gold Medalist, was welcomed by the Tongan Prime Minister, Dr Feleti Sevele at a special reception in her honour at the start of the Olympian's week long visit to her mother's homeland.

Wearing her Olympic Gold Medal, Valerie was claimed by Tongans as their own and at the gold-ribboned reception at the Janfull International Dateline Hotel on December 3, Valerie told the appreciative crowd how proud she was of her Tongan connection.

Standing head and shoulders above most of her fellows, everyone wanted to meet the outstanding athlete, who finally looked as though she fitted in when she lined up with the Tongan police force for a picture.

The reception was co-hosted by the Prime Minister and the New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, Ms Christine Bogle.

Houma

Valerie was born in Rotorua, New Zealand, on October 6, 1984, but her Tongan mother, who came from Houma, died of cancer when Valerie was only 16 years old. Baron Vaea of Houma and relatives of Valerie from Houma were at the function. Speaking in Tongan and English, Valerie was close to tears as she expressed how wonderful it would have been for her mother to be with her on this day.

Valerie is currently on holiday in Tonga with her husband, Bertrand Vili, a New Caledonian discus thrower. The couple married in 2004.

On December 4, a public holiday, King George Tupou V in a private ceremony at Consular House, Nuku'alofa, presented Valerie with a medal, in recognition of her achievement as a Tongan.